Seeing Elder Lei’s shocked expression, Ye Fan smiled slightly.
The smile carried a hint of cunning, and more so, smugness.
After all, Elder Lei was a Level 1 Appraisal Master, yet his discerning eyes couldn’t identify these three items, which spoke volumes about how obscure they were.
And this was precisely the result Ye Fan wanted to see.
Upon seeing Elder Lei’s reaction, Liu Piaoxu finally relaxed.
“Elder Lei, do you know of any senior appraisal masters in Jiangnan who have a good relationship with Feng Xiao?”
Since Feng Xiao had chosen the Antiquities Association as the venue for the competition, rather than his own territory, it clearly indicated his extreme confidence.
This meant he must have high-level appraisers at his disposal.
And Elder Lei would undoubtedly be aware of all the senior appraisers in Jiangnan.
After all, they were in the same city; it would be astonishing if Elder Lei hadn’t heard of them.
Elder Lei frowned slightly and fell into thought.
“There are quite a few appraisers who are on good terms with the Feng family, as the Feng family is one of the foremost prominent families in Jiangnan. Many appraisers, seeking personal gain, are willing to align themselves with the Feng family. However, those of higher caliber are rare indeed. Since Feng Xiao has set the competition venue at the Antiquities Association, he must have some familiarity with it. Therefore, I suspect he has enlisted one of the three Level 1 Appraisal Masters from the Antiquities Association.”
Elder Lei’s analysis was naturally well-founded.
If Feng Xiao were unfamiliar with the Antiquities Association, given his cunning nature, he would never have chosen it as the competition venue.
A person like him, driven solely by profit, would not make a decision without sufficient benefit.
Liu Piaoxu furrowed her brow, her beautiful eyes reflecting confusion.
“Why not the President of the Antiquities Association, that Special Grade Appraisal Master? If Feng Xiao could persuade him to participate, wouldn’t that be even more secure for him?”
Liu Piaoxu, being deeply knowledgeable about antiquities, placed great importance on the ranking of appraisers.
The standard of an appraiser could not be judged solely by their numbers.
Even ten or a hundred Level 2 Appraisers were no match for a single Level 1 Appraiser.
The ability to discern genuine from fake could only be honed through practice.
“Absolutely impossible.”
Elder Lei stated with absolute certainty, “You don’t understand President Wei. He would never involve himself in such petty squabbles between children. In his eyes, these so-called competitions are merely child’s play. However, if President Wei were to meet Brother Ye, he might become interested. But to surpass him in appraisal skills, among those I know, only Brother Ye possesses such capability.”
This was not Elder Lei exaggerating Ye Fan’s abilities, but stating a fact.
Even he, a dignified Level 1 Appraisal Master, felt like a child in front of Ye Fan, which was a testament to Ye Fan’s appraisal prowess.
Upon hearing Elder Lei’s words, Ye Fan smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
However, he had indeed developed a keen interest in this President Wei.
It was a case of kindred spirits, and he felt a similar sentiment.
The contest with Feng Xiao was merely a diversion; it wouldn’t necessitate him using his true abilities.
If he had a choice, he would never have agreed to Feng Xiao’s challenge.
It was just that, currently, he was at the mercy of others, leaving him with no other option.
“May I know where President Wei is? Will I have the honor of meeting him this time?”
Having piqued Ye Fan’s interest, it was only natural for him to want to meet the most powerful figure in the Jiangnan Antiquities Association.
If he could engage in a friendly competition, the benefits would be immeasurable.
Although Ye Fan’s appraisal abilities were outstanding, he was not arrogant. There was always someone better, and countless appraisal experts existed in the world. Perhaps this President Wei’s abilities surpassed his own.
However, Elder Lei shook his head.
“Alas, you’ve come at an inopportune time. President Wei left Jiangnan three days ago to attend an antiques conference in Hangzhou. He is estimated to be back in a few days. When he returns, I will immediately help you arrange an introduction.”
Elder Lei readily agreed.
“That would be excellent. Thank you, Elder Lei.”
Ye Fan said with a smile.
Elder Lei waved his hand dismissively, “We’re all family, why be so formal? Speaking with a smile, he quickly returned to the main topic.
“By the way, where did you get these few items? You still haven’t told me, you rascal.”
Each of these three treasures, if they appeared on the market, would ignite a bloody storm and cause people to fight tooth and nail.
Therefore, Elder Lei couldn’t help but be curious.
Seeing Elder Lei’s persistent inquiry, Ye Fan offered a helpless wry smile.
It seemed this old man wouldn’t give up unless he got an answer. Since that was the case, it wouldn’t hurt to give him some insight.
“Does Elder Lei know about the Ghost Market?”
Ye Fan asked Elder Lei with a smile.
Elder Lei was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly nodded. “Of course, I know. The Ghost Market exists in Jiangnan as well. However, the Jiangnan Ghost Market seems to take orders from Jiangcheng. Although Jiangcheng is a small city, its antique trade is truly developed. Many organizations place their headquarters in Jiangcheng, and the Ghost Market is one of them.”
He briefly explained what he knew to Ye Fan.
“I have also entered the Ghost Market before, but the items there are a mixed bag, with too many fakes. If one’s discerning eye is not exceptional, it’s easy to be deceived. Furthermore, I’ve heard that Mr. Cao, the person in charge of the Ghost Market, has formidable appraisal skills. Many even rank him alongside President Wei, though I have never met him personally.”
Elder Lei shook his head with a wry smile.
For an appraisal master, encountering an appraisal expert was like a martial artist meeting a martial arts master; the excitement that surged within was uncontrollable.
Upon hearing Elder Lei’s words, Ye Fan chuckled inwardly.
He didn’t know Mr. Cao’s appraisal capabilities, as he had never seen Mr. Cao in action, but this Mr. Cao was indeed an intelligence master.
The Ghost Market, operated under his command, gathered information from all over the world. Any intelligence he wished to know, he could ascertain.
Such methods were why the Ghost Market had remained prosperous.
Even while dealing in smuggled goods, no one dared to speak ill of the Ghost Market.
This formidable intelligence network alone was enough to make anyone fearful, including prominent families and super forces.
After all, no one could confidently claim their own affairs were entirely clean. Once any unsavory secrets were leaked, it would be utterly devastating.
However, Ye Fan could only ponder these thoughts internally and could not convey them to Elder Lei.
“Indeed, Elder Lei knows a great deal about the Ghost Market. In fact, these few items in my possession were acquired from the Ghost Market. Moreover, these three items are so obscure that even an appraisal master might not be able to discern their intricacies. It is precisely for this reason that I dared to bring these items to Jiangnan to compete with Feng Xiao.”
Ye Fan spoke with a faint smile, a smile that, while mostly calm, also carried a touch of disdain.
He didn’t take Feng Xiao seriously at all; he was merely the young master of a newly rich family. To bother with him would only diminish his own standing.